Dr. Yunus encourages young people to develop themselves as "three-zero" individuals

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged young people to become "three-zero persons" to safeguard the planet from destruction while delivering the keynote speech at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum, held alongside the BIMSTEC Summit.  

"If we want to serve society, we must transition to a new civilisation based on three zeros—zero carbon emissions, zero waste, and zero wealth concentration," he stated during the forum in the afternoon.  

Prof. Yunus warned that the world is heading toward self-destruction as carbon emissions, waste production, and wealth concentration continue to rise under outdated economic models.  

Emphasizing the need to protect nature, he remarked, "Unless wealth is shared, sustaining a just society is impossible."  

He further highlighted that human beings are not meant to work under others but are born to be entrepreneurs, urging the younger generation to embrace entrepreneurship.  

Calling today's youth the most powerful generation in history, the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate stressed that life is about preservation and protection, which is why the "three-zero civilisation" must be established. He also underlined the significance of three-zero clubs, explaining that when five individuals come together, they can form a club committed to minimizing personal carbon emissions, waste production, and wealth concentration, thereby embodying the three-zero principle.  

"You cannot change the world overnight... but if you want change, start from your own village," he advised young participants.  

Reflecting on the origins of Grameen Bank, Prof. Yunus recounted how it has lifted thousands of rural women out of poverty. He recalled that when Bangladesh was struck by famine in 1974, he felt compelled to take action.  

At the time, while teaching at Chittagong University, he decided to help a nearby village. Despite initial skepticism surrounding the initiative, he overcame barriers by communicating in the local dialect. He recalled that his first loan was equivalent to one dollar, given to a woman—marking the start of what would later become the Grameen Bank.  

Describing access to credit as a fundamental human right, Prof. Yunus argued that ensuring this right paves the way for securing other rights.  

Regarding social business, he explained that it is designed to address societal challenges rather than accumulate wealth.  

At the beginning of his speech, Prof. Yunus also expressed deep condolences for the lives lost in the recent earthquake that devastated Myanmar.